Biography

Ruiz is the son of a Marine turned pastor.[2] Raised in La Porte County, he graduated from Michigan City High School and attended Bethel College before graduating with his B.S. in business management from Indiana Wesleyan. He will graduate with an MBA in December of 2012.[2]

Career

Ruiz currently works with at-risk youth at the Family and Children’s Center.[2]

Endorsements

On June 24, 2012, Libertarian Party Presidential Candidate Gary Johnson (former two-term governor of New Mexico) gave his endorsement for Joe Ruiz. According to Johnson, "Ruiz not only talks about doing right but lives it. He has a proven history empowering the people with faith in the individual. Ruiz is the right candidate to promote liberty while working to ensure every citizen has the opportunity to live the American Dream. Ruiz is consistent in his message of civil and economic liberty.”

Issues

Positions

Military/National Defense/Foreign Wars

Ruiz posted the following to his Facebook page regarding foreign policy, etc:[4]

"I believe that the United States of America needs to maintain the absolute strongest National Defense system in the world. However, it is important that we do this without being an over intrusive, offensive force in the affairs of other nations. Our troops should be brought home to their families all the while staying prepared for a time when a true need might beckon them. At all costs I will support peace and vote in favor of rational military strategies.

These include that war requires a Congressional declaration; foreign aid should be cut off completely in as short a time as possible, sanctions and tariffs should be removed, and trade, travel and capitalism between the U.S. and other nations should be encouraged. Also, I do not support a military draft."

Veterans

Brett Whittenburg - A U.S. Soldier, recently asked Ruiz the following: "What is your view on Veterans (Medical Care, Job Assistance, and Helping with the families of deployed service members)?"[4]

Ruiz responded:

"Brett, My Dad is a Marine Corp Veteran and I am proud to offer true support to anyone who volunteers service to our nation. What I mean by true support is this: There are politicians who pay lip service to supporting our soldiers all the time. They think saying “Thank you for your service” is good enough. Those same politicians are quick to put our soldiers in harm’s way for political interests. As you may have seen below in my position on National Defense, I would like the troops to come home – only to be sent to war in times of true need where our national security is threatened, and Congress has made an official declaration to fight.

Now – in terms of Veteran’s Benefits as you have inquired: Libertarians (like me) believe in upholding contracts. We have made a commitment to our men and women in uniform and my vote will never be used to take anything away from them. Their service is too important!

Obviously, spending is a huge issue in America. We need to do MUCH less of it. But it won’t be at the expense of those who risk their lives for our safety. However, it should be noted that keeping our troops home will mean less money spent on assisting the family of deployed service members. That will be a welcome decrease in our financial obligations, because to me, nothing says “Thank you for your service” like making sure Baby Lilly’s Daddy, Brett Whittenburg, is home to be a part of her life as she grows up. That, my friend, is true support."

Government Spending

Ruiz has gone on record for the following statement[5]: "This needs to be cut significantly. This is one of the most important issues of our day (if not the most important). As your Representative I will not vote in favor of any legislation that will expand the size of our government, or spend beyond our Constitutional limitations. In addition, I will never vote to raise the debt ceiling."

Ruiz has also been working with several Libertarian Party of Indiana candidates on a proposal that would seek to balance the budget by 2014. This budget will soon be released to the public in its entirety.

Healthcare

Ruiz stated the following on his Facebook page on April 16, 2012[4]: Government run healthcare is a direct attack on the very Americans that it promises to help. Under the guise of compassion our President’s plan will further compromise our economy, as well as the quality of care received by all.

I believe that I understand compassion better than those in Washington. For the last six years I have lived it serving the at-risk youth in my community as well as their families. I have done this in hopes of changing hearts and minds, and also for the prospect of a better tomorrow. I now understand that “at-risk” is no longer a term that can be limited to one group of people. Because of our government’s insistence on irresponsible spending, we’re all “at-risk.”

Indiana needs an advocate who understands that competition and private innovation in our healthcare system is the most compassionate solution for all, and when I am elected, I will stand up for this cause.

Further, Ruiz released this statement immediately after the Supreme Court ruling on June 28, 2012:[5]

"Friends and Neighbors,

I am very disappointed by the direction that the Supreme Court chose to go regarding President Obama’s Affordable Healthcare Act. Chief Justice John Roberts described it as a tax stating: "If an individual does not maintain health insurance, the only consequence is that he must make an additional payment to the IRS when he pays his taxes," Roberts writes. He adds that this means "the mandate is not a legal command to buy insurance. Rather, it makes going without insurance just another thing the Government taxes, like buying gasoline or earning an income."

And I would say that’s more than enough reason to disagree. An additional tax on Real People is the last thing we need. Also, a tax is a mandate – because you have to pay it. Just because you can manipulate the wording to make it appear legal does not mean that it is in the best interest of the people. What is legal and what is right are often very different.

This decision provides more power to our leaders – which in turn takes away power from everyday Americans like us. We should be emboldened by this. We should get loud. We should demand that we be able to govern our own wallets and our own self interests. Finally, this should be one of many reasons to vote for a Pro Liberty candidate this fall.

I will fight for you in Congress against those that would ask you to surrender your freedom for their political endeavors. If the government big enough to give you everything you want is also big enough to take everything you have, I say simplify government now.

We deserve so much better from our leaders. That’s why I’m stepping up and running, on behalf of all of us."

Pro-Life

When asked about his view on Abortion via Facebook Ruiz responded with the following[4]: "I believe in the non-aggression principle, which I believe extends to the unborn. Therefore I am personally Pro-Life. However, realistically I know that abortions will occur in some respect regardless of the law – most likely in less safe/sanitary conditions for the mother than she would otherwise have. As such I believe that Roe vs. Wade has been harmful. Constitutionally the States should ultimately have the authority to determine their own laws regarding this type of legislation."

Religion

One of the most highly acclaimed statements made by Ruiz came after a young atheist, Anfrey Cheng, asked the following[4]: "Joe, How do you feel about us atheists and secular folk? What are your thoughts on politicians trying to legislate religious beliefs? While I understand you are a religious person, there are many of us who are not but have obtained our sense of morality, empathy, and compassion from a myriad other sources (such as family, life experiences, education, mentors, etc.). How do I know you will stand up for the interests of those who seek freedom from religion in government?"

Ruiz responded with...

"Atheists and Secular folk? I have a better word for them: People. We're all just people. It's true that personally I am a Christian, but neither belief (mine or yours) makes us any less human. Neither belief makes us any less American. And neither belief makes us at all deserving of an overly intrusive, financially irresponsible representation. No matter what you believe in Anfrey, my vote will always stand in support of you choosing what is best for you. And in return I know that you will always support me choosing what is best for me."

Endorsements

Ruiz has gone on record as endorsing Gary Johnson in 2012 stating "No other presidential/vice presidential team has a record of limited government like Governor Johnson and Judge Gray. While the other two parties offer words, Johnson and Gray offer proof.”